MMA's 'D' gets local jolt

October 27, 2011  

By John Garner Jr., Cape Cod Times

One of the key defensive players for the Massachusetts Maritime Academy football team is havoc-wreaking senior outside linebacker/defensive end Walter Butler of Bourne.

Sporting a 5-2 record and tied for second in the New England Football Conference Bogan Division (3-2), the Buccaneers are much-improved defensively, thanks in large part to the 6-3, 215-pound Bishop Stang grad who is a prime candidate for NEFC Defensive Player of the Year.

Better known as "Waltah Butlah" to MMA fans, thanks to the Boston-accented pronunciation by public address announcer Joe Rubin, Butler is second behind Mike Bois with 53 tackles. He leads the MMA defense with 43 solo stops, six forced fumbles, nine QB hurries and 17 tackles for a loss, to go along with three sacks and two fumble recoveries.

"Walter has been disruptive off the edge all season for us," said MMA coach Jeremy Cameron, whose team has won 10 of its last 15 games dating back to last season. "Our defense is making more big plays and he's one of the main reasons why."

The MMA defense ranks third in the Bogan Division in scoring defense (20.9) and pass defense (140.0) and is second overall in red-zone defense (59.3 percent) — three of the most important statistics on that side of the ball.

For the second time this season, Butler was named NEFC Defensive Player of the Week in last Saturday's 34-6 Admiral's Cup win over Maine Maritime. He forced two fumbles, returning one for a 48-yard TD and had two sacks.

Also playing well for MMA are second leading rusher Barry Reopell (South Dennis), who has rushed for 288 yards and five TDs, and 6-1, 290-pound offensive lineman Chris Dintino (Mashpee).

"Barry is one of our strongest and fastest backs and teams with (leading rusher) Matt White to give us good balance at that position," said Cameron. "Chris is a leader on our offensive line and has been a four-year starter."

Other local players for the Bucs include LB Michael Bellmore (South Dennis), OL Sean Marshall (Sandwich), LB Peter Markarian (Hyannis) and LB Victor Andrade (Yarmouthport), who returned a fumble 17 yards for a score against Maine Maritime.

MMA receiver Keith Caruso was named to the NEFC honor roll after catching five passes for 103 yards against Maine Maritime, including a 42-yard strike from quarterback Mike Stanton.

The Bucs go after their fourth straight victory Saturday at Westfield State.

On campus

Senior forward Ellery Gould (East Sandwich) of Bowdoin was recently selected ECAC Div. III New England Women's Soccer Player of the Week. She scored the game-tying goal in a win over the University of New England, the game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Hamilton and her team's only goal in a 2-1, double overtime loss to undefeated Amherst.

Jo Jo Jamiel (West Yarmouth) is a junior wide receiver for Sacred Heart (4-3) and led the Pioneers with nine catches for 58 yards in a 31-17 loss to Monmouth. He is second on the squad with 28 catches for 190 yards and is the son of Dennis-Yarmouth offensive coordinator Joe Jamiel.

Joey Allen (Yarmouthport) is a junior linebacker for the WPI football team (2-5) and a starter on the Engineers' kickoff and punt return teams.

Mass. Maritime sophomore goalie Brett Young (Falmouth) was named conference Player of the Week after stopping 24 of 26 shots and posting a 0.90 GAA in a 1-1 week. He had a career-high 16 saves in a 1-1 double OT draw vs. Bridgewater State.

Three teammates on the Bucs' men's soccer (2-10) are fellow Falmouth residents, senior back Dennis Doherty and junior midfielders Adam Rabesa and Derek Young.

Two local performers on the MMA women's soccer team (2-12) are junior midfielder/back Janelle Beaulieu (Buzzards Bay), who has registered two assists and freshman forward Laura Martin (West Yarmouth).

Junior Nathaniel Olsen (East Dennis) and sophomores Travis Thonus (East Dennis) are members of the MMA offshore sailing team which finished third at the McMillan Cup Regatta hosted by Navy.

Two golfers who fared well in last week's New England Intercollegiate Golf Association Championship at Captains in Brewster were former Cape Cod Academy standout Nick Clarke (Plymouth) of team champion Bentley, who was 17th (out of 163) with a two-round total of 153 and senior Brian Fleckles (Sandwich) of Franklin Pierce, who shot a 154, including a fifth-best 74 on the first day.

Junior Steve Scanlon (East Sandwich) is a junior midfielder on the St. Michael's soccer team (3-6-2) and scored his first collegiate goal in a 5-0 win over Lyndon State. His brother Andrew Scanlon was a defender on the team last season.

Freshman Amy Kangas (East Sandwich) is a freshman back on the St. Michael's field hockey team.

Senior back Bryan German (Sandwich) is a member of the Bentley soccer team and has assisted on one goal, while his sister, junior defender Kelly German, (Sandwich) has appeared in all eight games for the Framingham State field hockey squad.

Junior Lilly Lowe (Marstons Mills) is a member of the Saint Michael's volleyball team (12-7) and has 34 kills and 11 service aces.